Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia L.) Supplementation Has No Effect on Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Mice. Issue 10 (14th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohammadmoradi, Shayan; Howatt, Deborah A; Lu, Hong S; Daugherty, Alan; Saha, Sibu P
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 4:Issue 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-14
• Subjects: Momordica charantia -- atherosclerosis -- hypercholesterolemia -- cholesterol -- bitter melon; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Bitter melon (BM; Momordica charantia L.) has been reported to ameliorate diet-induced obesity and dyslipidemia. However, the effects of BM on atherosclerosis have not been determined. This study investigated the effects of BM diet-induced atherosclerosis in LDL receptor–deficient mice. A total of 30 female mice (aged 6–8 wk) were fed a saturated fat–enriched diet. In group 1 ( n = 10), mice were fed this diet alone, whereas mice in groups 2 and 3 ( n = 10/group) were fed the diet supplemented with BM either 0.1% or 1% by weight. After 12 wk, body weight, plasma cholesterol, and atherosclerotic plaque areas were analyzed. No significant differences in body weight and plasma cholesterol concentrations were observed among the groups. Also, BM supplementation did not affect atherosclerosis development. In conclusion, dietary BM has no effect on plasma cholesterol concentration and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic mice.